Pope John Paul II, right, greets Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect
of the Catholic Church's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, during the traditional exchange of Christmas
greetings at the Vatican in this Dec. 22, 2003 file picture. Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger of Germany, a longtime guardian of doctrinal orthodoxy, was elected the new pope Tuesday, April 19, 2005
evening in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI. (AP Photo/Osservatore
Romano, ho)
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger with brass band 'Strigl' in
front of a new fire brigade car that was previously blessed by Ratzinger in this 2002
file photo in Pentling near Regensburg, southern Germany. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, a longtime guardian
of doctrinal orthodoxy, was elected the new pope Tuesday, April 19, 2005 in the first conclave of the new millennium.
He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI. (AP Photo/Josef Eder)
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the strict defender of Catholic
orthodoxy for the past 23 years, was elected Pope April 19, 2005, despite a widespread assumption he was too old
and divisive to win election. He took the name Benedict XVI, a cardinal announced to crowds in St. Peter's Square
after white smoke from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel chimney and the pealing of bells from St. Peter's Basilica
announced that a new pope had been chosen. Pope Benedict XVI is pictured when he was Professor of of Dogma and
Fundamental Theology in the Bavarian village of Freising in this 1959 file
photo. ( EDITORIAL USE ONLY) ( NO THIRD PARTY SALES) REUTERS/KNA Bild B/W ONLY
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the strict defender of Catholic
orthodoxy for the past 23 years, was elected Pope April 19, 2005, despite a widespread assumption he was too old
and divisive to win election. He took the name Benedict XVI, a cardinal announced to crowds in St. Peter's Square
after white smoke from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel chimney and the pealing of bells from St. Peter's Basilica
announced that a new pope had been chosen. Pope Benedict XVI is pictured with his family (L-R) Joseph Ratzinger,
mother Maria, his father Joseph, sister Maria and brother Georg in this 1959
file photo. ( EDITORIAL USE ONLY) ( NO THIRD PARTY SALES) REUTERS/KNA Bild B/W ONLY
The new elected Pope Benedict XVI, known as German Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger is pictured with mother Teresa in the southwestern German city of Freiburg in this September
1978 file photo. Ratzinger of Germany has been elected pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church, a cardinal
announced April 19, 2005. He has chosen Pope Benedict XVI as his papal name, the cardinal said. (EDITORIAL USE
ONLY) (NO THIRD PARTY SALES) REUTERS/KNA Bild B/W ONLY
Newly elected Pope Benedict XVI, formerly known as Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger of Germany is pictured in this September 1988 file photo. (EDITORIAL
USE ONLY) ( NO THIRD PARTY SALES) REUTERS/KNA Bild B/W ONLY
The new elected Pope Benedict XVI, known as German Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger, is pictured in this undated file photo. Ratzinger of Germany has
been elected pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church, a cardinal announced April 19, 2005. He has chosen Pope Benedict
XVI as his papal name, the cardinal said. B&W ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY NO SALES REUTERS/KNA Bild
A little Cardinal Ratzinger Humor:
Karl Rahner, Hans Kung and Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger all die on the same day, and go to meet St. Peter to know their fate.
St. Peter approaches the three of them, and tells them that he will interview each of them to discuss their views on various issues.
He then points at Rahner and says "Karl! In my office..." After 4 hours, the door opens, and Rahner comes stumbling out of St. Peter's office. He is highly distraught, and is mumbling things like "Oh God, that was the hardest thing I've ever done! How could I have been so wrong! So sorry...never knew..." He stumbles off into Heaven, a testament to the mercy of Our God.
St. Peter follows him out, and sticks his finger in Kung's direction and "Hans! You're next..." After 8 hours, the door opens, and Kung comes out, barely able to stand. He is near collapse with weakness and a crushed spirit. He , too, is mumbling things like "Oh God, that was the hardest thing I've ever done! How could I have been so wrong! So sorry...never knew..." He stumbles off into Heaven, a testament to the mercy of Our God.
Lastly, St. Peter, emerging from his office, says to Cardinal Ratzinger, "Joseph, your turn." TWELVE HOURS LATER, St. Peter stumbles out the door, apparently exhausted, saying "Oh God, that's the hardest thing I've ever done..."
AUTHOR UNKNOWN